Tackle the Traits of Writing Presented by: Stephanie Ivory, D.Ed. Saint Francis University sivory@francis.edu KSRA Conference, 2014

Session Description Do you fumble to find motivational techniques to incorporate writing into your elementary level curriculum? Cheer on the team as we share mini- lessons encompassing trade books, graphic organizers, and hands-on, interactive activities to build strength and competence in Ideas, Organization, Voice, Word Choice, and Sentence Fluency. Score a packet of resources ready for classroom use!

6 + 1 Traits of Writing. Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory 6 + 1 Traits of Writing *Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory *Ruth Culham Ideas Organization Voice Word Choice Sentence Fluency Convention +1 = Presentation

Ideas Voice Sentence Fluency Word Choice Organization Conventions

Building with the Traits Word Choice: words writer selects has a profound impact on reader (sun) Sentence Fluency: phrases float through a piece of writing (clouds) Conventions: essential to polished composition (roof) Organization: structure of writing, sensible layout (house) Voice: you! Adds style and character Ideas: solid base on which good writing develops (foundation)

Ideas ~Heart of the message ~Content of the piece ~Details that enrich and develop the theme

Children’s Literature to support Ideas The Magic School Bus series (Joanna Cole) Nothing Ever Happens on 90th Street (Roni Schotter)

Organization ~internal structure ~thread of central meaning ~pattern ~clear beginning, middle, and ending

Children’s Literature to support Organization Alphabet City (Stephen T. Johnson) The Napping House (Audrey Wood) If you Give a Pig a Pancake (Laura Numeroff)

Voice ~heart and soul of the piece ~the magic, wit, feeling, life, & breath ~use of expression to voice personality

Children’s Literature to support Voice Click, Clack, Moo, Cows that Type (Doreen Cronin) Stellaluna (Janell Cannon) The True Story of the Three Little Pigs (Scieszka & Smith) The Day the Crayons Quit (Drew Daywalt) Detective LaRue series (Mark Teague) By the Side of the Road (Jules Feiffer)

Word Choice ~rich, colorful, precise language ~moves and enlightens the reader ~clarifies and expands ideas

Children’s Literature to support Word Choice Fancy Nancy series (Jane O’Connor) Chrysanthemum (Kevin Henkes) Miss Alaineus: A Vocabulary Disaster (Debra Frasier) Some Smug Slug (Pamela Duncan Edwards)

Sentence Fluency ~rhythm and flow of the language ~sound of word patterns ~varying sentence structure

Children’s Literature to support Sentence Fluency Chicka Chicka Boom Boom (Bill Martin Jr.) Black Cat (Christopher Myers)

Conventions ~without proper conventions, the other 5 traits may be overshadowed ~piece’s level of correctness ~use of grammar and mechanics with precision ~essential for a polished composition

Children’s Literature to support Conventions Punctuation Takes a Vacation (Robin Pulver) The Perfect Pop-Up Punctuation Book (Kate Petty) Quirky, Jerky, Extra Perky: More About Adjectives (Brian P. Cleary) Hairy, Scary, Ordinary: What is an Adjective (Brian P. Cleary)

+1 = Presentation Share the final product! How does the piece look? Good writers are aware of the importance of presentation! A final copy can serve as a welcome mat or as a barricade.

Grading with the Traits Checklists Rubrics

We write to taste life twice ~Anais Nin What is written without effort is in general read without pleasure ~Samuel Johnson We write to taste life twice ~Anais Nin